BAA offers to buy homes in runway zone

BAA has announced its offer to purchase properties under threat of the third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Today BAA wrote to residents under threat of the third runway offering to buy properties within the area designated under its Property Market Support Bond scheme. This offer is open to residents for the next 12 months.

On his website, Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell, said he has been pressing BAA for months to implement the Bond Scheme to assist residents who are trapped in unsuitable accommodation and unable to sell their properties on the open market.

He said: "Two weeks ago I met representatives from BAA with Rob Fodder, an example of a local resident unable to sell his property and trapped with his growing family in overcrowded conditions.

"Last week I also tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for action to resolve this issue. I welcome BAA’s announcement because it will help local families who are suffering from being trapped in unsuitable accommodation because they cannot sell.

"Over the next week I am convening a public meeting for local residents to discuss the implications of this decision. In addition over the coming weeks we will be convening via the local law centre a series of smaller seminars with lawyers to provide advice to local residents on the details of the scheme and the process from here on.

"I believe that the third runway will never be built but before we can kill off this runway threat once and for all we need to ensure that families affected by blight are properly protected."